Switch



JACOBSl E. Hf

Naw. l1, i924- SWITCH Filed April 14 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Nov.y Il, i924.

. ERNEST H. JACOBS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS EQUIPMENT COMIANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SWITCH.

To aZLw-wm t may concer/n.:

Be it known that I, ERNEST H. JACOBS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and

' frequently insufficient to" prevent overheating-beingemployed in conducting current.

It hasbeen customary heretofore in the art to hold the switch blades together and in contact with the stationary terminals by either wedging the blades between a pair of spring fingers; employing a number of bolt and spring washer connections arrangedadjacent the opposite edges of the terminal; or bv slotting the terminal to receive the i binding bolt when the switch is closed as l ing area under such well understood by those skilled in the art. In the first instance the very action of wedg- Ying ldrives the fingers apart so that imperfect contact is obtained. I have observed that the arrangement of spring washers adjacent the opposite edges of the terminal is highly unsatisfactory, the tendency of the blades toward spreading within the contactconditions resulting in imperfect contact. Slottingthe terminals to receive the binding bolt not only involves alteration of the terminal, but decreases the relative contacting surface of the switch.

It is now common 'practice to provide locking mechanisms in connection with such switches to prevent the accidental moving of the movable switch member from its desired position as might result from a variety of causes first of which is a heavy flow of current. A disconnecting switch should not be opened under load. If blown openby` an overload it is in 'danger of being destroyed and also of developing a serious fault either to ground or across phases.

According to my present invention I provide an improved form of lock, which, while it is particularly valuable in switches Application led April 14,1919. Serial N0. 289,922.

of the floating blade type for disconnect purposes 1s not to be limited to ,this particular type of switches. While I have shown the lock as applied to an indoor switch of low voltage, I do not wish to limit the invention to this type or form. The preferred fo-rm of the lock is characterized by an eye for manipulating both the lock and the switch, which eye extends out beyond the upon the blade or blades of the switch over a substantially the entire contacting area thereof without slotting or otherwise alten ing the terminal. This I secure preferably by a spring clip which extends across the width ofthe outer or free terminal,.lying outside of the blades and presses upon the blades along the central area of their contact with the contact of the switch. This spring clip is held by bolts which also serve to anchor the clip to the blades.

The present invention aims further to provide a locking switch wherein theswitch blades are floating relative to the locking mechanism; theA contracting area of the switch being the only -portion wherein the blade or blades are clamped or bound to-V ether. I,

A still further aim of the/present invention is the provision of a switch of simple, durable andreliable construction providing maximum positive contacting surfaces. To; this end I have provided means whereby the bus bars of the circuit may be utilized as th'e terminals of the switch, independent terminal lugs and the like being thereby dispensed with.

Other aims of my invention not hereinbe'- "fore set forth will appear from the following detailed description and the claims taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which: e

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of`a switch constructed in accordance with the c teachings of my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational -view of the same;

Flgure 3 1s an enlarged fragmentary secvhinge terminal 7 by means of a tional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 and 7Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1. Y

The form of lswitch shown comprises two independentswitches 1 and 2, the detailed construction of each of whichl is the same, so that a description of one will suffice for both.

The movable part of the switch 2 com prises blades 3, 4, 5 and 6 arranged in palrs as shown in Figure 2. vThe blades 3 and 4 are clamped at *one .end Ito a stationary bolt Sand a pair of spring washers 9 and 10Wl1ich maintain a uniform spring pressure upon the blades 3 fand 4 to hold them against the sides of the terminal 7. The blades 5 and 6 are clam ed in a similar manner to a stationary hinge terminal 11 by means of a bolt 12- and a pair of springV washers 13 and 14.

Each of the terminals 7 andl 11 comprises a plurality-of bus bars, may be-varied according to the size of the bus bars themselves and the capacity of the switch. These bus bars extend thru the base-board 15 preferablyvformed of slate,

marble or the like as is usual in switchboard construction and are arranged and securely clamped by suitable bolts 16 asshown in Figure 4 to the bus bars 17, which bus bars 17 are of the usual type provided as a permanent installation in circuits of this character.

The terminals 7 v'and 11, each of which comprises a pair of bus. bars extending thru the base board 15 in'parallel spacedl rela` tion are maintained securely in place relative to the base board by angle pieces 18 and 19 .bolted thereto, these angle pieces being in turn bolted to the base board as shown in Figuref4. f

This feature of forming the switch terminals of short lengths of bus bars is a feature of great importance. Heretofore it has been customary to form the switch terminals of. cast lugs. This has always necessitated an additional joint, usually a solder joint, which is diiicult and expensive to make and which usually proves unsatisfactory. By my invention the extra joint 1s veliminated and a better connection is made. The hei ht of the terminals can be readlly adjuste and the spacing can be controlled to suit thev conditions. Less material need be carried in stock and yet any re uirement can be met.

ach of the upper switch terminals 20 and 21 comprises a plurality of bus bars arranged in pairs substantially as described `in connection with the -terminals 7 and, 11, the number of bus bars'forming each' of the terminals 20 and V.21 vbeing immaterial, as this number may be varied to suit diilerent .inals 7 the number of which,

forming .the thru the base and securely Yclamped by means of bolts 22 to the bus bars'38 substantially as shown'in connection with the terminals 7 and 11. The terminals 20 and 21 are maintained securely in placeJ relative to the base board .15 by meansof angle pieces. 23 and 24 bolted thereto, which angle pieces are securely bolted to the base board 15 as shown in Figure 1. The outer ends of the terminals 20 and 21 may be suitably fbeveled to giveva finished appearance and to facilitate closing of the switch. Where .the switch is to serve for reversing connections, another set of terminals (not shown) may be provided beneath the termvand 11 for co-operation with the blades 3, 4, 5 and 6 upon movement of the blades substantially 180 about the bolts 8 and 12.

The lower edge of the base board 15 is carried by brackets 25 and 26 being securely f other desired manner to meet various conditions of installation.

The switch blades 3 4 and 5 6, which switch blades are pivoted upon the bolts 8 and 12 respectively, are heldtogether at their outer ends by means of spring washers 31 31 and 32-32 respectively, thru which Lspring washers a uniform spring pressure is maintained upon 'the blades 3 4 and 5 6 over substantially the entire contacting"area to hold the blades firmly and uniformly against the opposite sides of the terminals 20 and 21 when the switch is closed. v Heretofore in employing a single pair of spring washers in this manner it has beennecessary to slot the terminal lugs to receive the binding bolt when the switch is closed, thereby decreasing the contacting surface relative to the sizeof the switch. often materially.,

Attempts to avoid slotting of the terminals have resulted in various constructions, probably the most commonf of .which is the provision of a pair of spring washers adjacent the upper and lower edges respectively of the terminal, the clamping bolts thereby clearing the opposite edges of the terminal. I have observed that this construction is less desirable than the construction herein illustrated, the tendency of the blades towards spreading between the binding o1' clamping bolts resulting in imperfect contact, the imperfection of which contact increases with the capacity of the switch.

I provide for clamping the spring washers 31-31 and 32-32 against the opposite sides of the blades 3-4 and 5-6 respectively in substantially the same relative positions as the spring washers 9-10 and 13-14 without slotting or otherwise altering the terminals 20 or 21. I accomplish this by the provision of a pair of clamping pieces or plates 34 and 35 in. connection with each. of the upper terminals of the switch. As shown in Figure 3, each of the clamping pieces 34 and 35 is provided with an inwardly projecting aligning stud 36 which aligning studs 36 engage in suitable openings provided substantially axially thru the spring washers 32-32 Axial recesses may be providedY instead of the axial openings shown-particularly in heavy capacity switches-as the -co-operation of the studs 3G with suitable axial recesses would serve.

to align the spring washers 32-32 in a vertical plane equally as well. The clamping pieces 34 and 35 and consequently the spring washers 32-32 are securely clamped in placeobviously maintaining a uniform spring pressure upon'the blades 5 and G over substantially the entire contacting area-by means of a plurality of bolts 37, the Shanks of which bolts clear the upper yand lower edges respectively of the terminal 21. The clamping pieces or plates 34 and 35 and the bolts 37 together form a frame between contact and no appreciable bending stress on the blades results. y

Although it is to be understood that I do not intend to be limited to a locking switch, I have provided an improved locking mechanism particularly adapted for use in connectionl with the above described switch when a locking switch is desired.

The upper edges of the upper switch tery minals 20 and 21 are provided with notches 40 (Figure 1) -in which the lower end of the T-shaped locking bolts 41 engage, one of these locking bolts being arranged between each pair of switch blades 3--4 and 5-6 respectively. The lower ,end ofthe locking bolt operating member 42 is bifurcated to provide two lvertical portions 43 and 44. These vertical yportions 43 and 44 are scarfed as is also the upper end of the T-shaped locking bolt 41, these co-operating scarfed ends forming overlapping connections arranged between each pair of switch blades; sufiicient clearance being provided so that the blades will be floating and in no case bound or clamped at this point.

The lower edges of the vertical portions 43 and 44ofy the' locking bolt operating members 42 areprovided with p lugs 45 (Figure 1) whichlugs 45 engage beneath the enlarged heads of the T-shaped locking bolts 41.

rIhe locking bolt operating members 42 and the locking bolts 41 areguided for reciprocating movement by bolts 46, the Shanks of which bolts extend thru registering slots provided in the locking bolt operating members 42 and in the locking bolts 41.

As shown in Figure 3, compression springs 47 mounted in suitable slots provided in the locking bolts 41 are confined between one end of these slots and the transverse pins 48 extending thru the opposite ends of the slots and secured inthe switch blades.v Obviously the springs 47 tend' to retainv the lower ends of the locking bolts 41 in the notches 40 provided in the upper edges of the upper switch terminals.

It will now be apparent that a pull with a suitable switch hook inserted in the ring 50 carried by the locking bolt operatingV member 42 will move this member and consequently the. locking bolt 41, thru the lugs 45 longitudinally sufficiently to clear the upper edge of the .switch terminal. The springs 47 are compressed simultaneously with this upwardvlnovement of the locking bolts 41 so that when the switch blades are swung about the Shanks of the-bolts 8 and 12 into the open position the locking bolts will be forced back into their normal position. When thel switchA is again closed these locking bolts will be sprung into the notches 40 to securely lock the same in the closed position.

It will now be apparent that I have provided a switch of improved construction i11- volving a `minimum number of parts; independent terminal lugs and the like` being dispensed with.

The features of a locking mechanism in connection with a ioatingblade disconnecting switch and the arrangement for clamping the spring washers to maintain a uniform spring pressure upon the blades over substantially the entire contacting area without slotting or otherwiseI altering the terminals of the switch are highly import-ant aspects of the .present inventlon.

While I have described my invention .in connection with the details of a particular embodiment, I do not intend thereby to limit the invention to such details as Iam aware againstl the sides of said switch blades and a lock releasing member extending beyond the ends of said blades.

2. In combination, a pair of stationary switch terminals, a pair of oating blades for connecting said switch terminals, spring means for retaining substantially the 'entire `contacting areas of said floating blades against the sides of said switch terminals, a

Alocking bolt for en aging one of said switch terminals, said loc g bolt being movable longitudinally relative to said switch blades, a lock releasing member cooperating with said locking bolt and extending beyond the ends of sa' floating blades, said lock releasing mem r having an aperture therein engageable by a switch loperating hook.

3. In a; locking switch, a pair of parallel oating switch blades, locking mechanism between said floating blades, said blades beto 'said locking member extendan having an aperture therein engageable Y, by aswitch operating hook.

4. In combination, a pair of switch terg a plurality of bus bars,

i a pair-o flloating blades for connecting said able angularly relative to sa switch terminals, a locking ,bolt for engaging one of said switch termmals, said locking bolt being movable longitudinally relative to said swtch'blades, a lockreleasmg member bolt and movswitch blades, member extending bethe `blades and being encO-operating with said lockingy said lock releasing yond the ends of gageable by a switch operating hook.

5. In jcombinatioma pairof switch terminals, a pair of switch blades pivoted on opposite sides of one of said switch termipieces to press minals. Y

' 6. In. combination, a pair of switch terminals,a` pair of switch blades pivoted on 'nalsp sprlng means for pressing said bladesV against said oneterminal, spring means for :pressing said blades againstthe other terminal, said second spring means being disposed substantially centrally relative to the areayof contact of said blades with said second `terminal, clamping pieces for said second spring means, and bolts .arranged adjacent the opposite edges of said second ter-- minal and co-o rating with -said clamp' 1sid blades against said. terspring tact, spring means for 10. In combination, ,-'of switch contacts, grouped ypairs of blades opposite sides of one of said switch terminals, spring means lfor pressing said blades against lsaid one terminal, spring means for pressing said blades against the other terminal, said second sprin means being disposed substantially centra y relative to the area ofcontact of'said blades `with said second terminal, clamping pieces for said second spring means, means arranged adjacent the opposite edges of said second terminal and co-operatingwith said clamping piecesto press said blades against said terminal, and a locking mechanism arranged between said blades, said lookin mechanism allowing a full floating action o said blades.

7. In` combination, a pair of stationary switch terminals,\a pair of switch blades pivoted upon one of said switch terminals, spring means substantially centrally disposed relative to the contacting area of said blades with the other terminal, and clamping means for maintaining a substantially uniform spring pressure upon the blades, said clamping means being independent of the formation of said second terminal.

prising a hinge contact and a free contact,

the contact, a pivotl pin passing thru the lnner ends of the blades and the hinge 'consaid endsflat against the hinge contact, aplurality of bolts passing loosely thru the blades on each side of the region where the blades` engage the 4free contact, plates or clamps held loosely on the outside of the blades by sai-d bolts, and spring means lying between said plates and the blades. 9. In combination, a pair of contacts comprising a hinge contact and a free contact, afpair ofy blades lying one on each side of the contact, a pivot pin passing thru the inner ends of* the blades andi thev hinge contact, spring means for yieldingly holding said endsflat against the hinge contact, a plurality of bolts passing loosely thru the 1baes on each side of the region where the a clamps held `loosely on the outside ofY the 'blades by vsaid bolts,

the blades and adapted to engage the free contact, and means for controlling said locking bolt and for moving the switch blades.

yieldingly embracing pairs of contacts between ,them, said blades being hinged in pairs to one group of said contacts and adapted to engage with the others of said contacts on the outer sides`.thereof', a plu` rality `oli' locking bolts lying between the outer ends of the pairs of blades for each contact, and a common means for control- 8. In combination, a pair of contacts coinyieldingly holding" spring 'means lying between said plates'and the blades, a locking -boltf lying between the outer ends ofa plurality of pairs l es engage the free contact, plates or and closed positions.

11. In a switch, a free switch contact, a pair of blades adapted to have contact with the outer surfaces of said switch contact, a spring member lying outside of each blade,

a relatively stiil' yoke member for each blade engaging the corresponding spring member and bolts passing through bothblades outside the area of engagement of blade and contact, said' bolts holding the ends of the yoke a predetermined distance away from each other to maintain a spring pressure upon the blades when they are in contact with the switch contact.

12. In combination, a plural unit switch, comprising two or more hinge contacts and two or more free contacts, each hinge contact having a pair of flat blades lying onthe outer face thereof, a hinge pin `for the pair of blades, means between the outer ends of the blades of each unit for spacing the blades apart, said means comprising a locking bolt for locking the pairs of blades against movement, and common means for operating all the pairs of blades in unison, said means controlling the lockf ing means of each pair.

13, In combination, a plural unit switch comprising two or more hinge contacts and two or more free contacts, each hinge contact havin the outer ace thereof, a hinge pin for the pair of blades, -means between the outer ends of the blades `of each unit for spacing the' blades apart, said means comprising a locking bolt .for locking the pair oit blades` against movement, spring means for for theouter ends of each pair of blades for holding them yieldably aga-inst -the'outer Sides of 'the free contacts, and common means for operating allfthe pairs of blades in unison, 'said means controlling thelocking means of each pair.

14. ln' a switch and supporting board,v bus bars- .in'back of the board, short sections of bus bar projecting in parallel through the board and forming switch studs in pairs, each pair comprising a hinge' stud and a free stud, a `switch arm for each pair of studs, each arm comprising a pair Mof blades lying onthe outsides of the corresponding studs, spring means :for holding each pairl of blades in lfull floating -contact withritspair of studs, locking means for each switch arm lying between the blades of each pair, and common means controlling all the locks of the arms and serving to open and close the arms in unison.

15. In a switch and board construction, a supporting boa-rd, bus bars in back of the board, short sections of bus bar projecting in parallel through the board and forming Switch studs in pairs, each pair a pair of flat blades lying on' board construction, a-

comprising a hinge stud and a free stud, a

switch arm for each pair of studs, each arm comprising a pair of blades lying on the outsides of the corresponding studs, spring means for holding each pair of blades in full floating contact with its `pairof studs, locking means for each switch arm lying be- `I and the sections of bus bar comprising the 'free studs being alluclamped together electrically at the rear of the board.

16. In combination, rigid terminals an'dflexible switch blades, said blades being posi*- tioned to be held towards'each other and against the outer sides of said terminals by the magnetic eld of the current,`and locking means positioned between the outer ends of the blades outside the effect of the magnetic field and adapted to be moved into closer engagement by mechanical separation of the terminals under the forces generated by the'magnetic field of the current.

17. In combination, spaced blades, a pivot contact betweeny the inner ends thereof, a rigid free Vcontact finger entering between the free ends of the blades, the ends of said blades projecting past said linger, and a locking device housed between the projecting ends of the blades and engaging said iinger to lock the switchin closed position, said locking device having an operating eye extending beyond thelfree end of the blades, and connected equally to both blades for operating the switch. I

18. ln combination, spaced floating blades, a rigid pivot contact between the inner ends thereof, a rigid free contact nger entering between the rceends of the blades, a locking bolt housed between the' ends of the blades beyond said free contact, means normally holding said bolt in locking engagement with saidnger, and a release member movable in the plane of movement of the bla de projecting from between said blades for moving said bolt out of locking position, said member being connected to both blades for exerting an equal el'ort upon the same.

19. ln combination a rigid contact finger,

a rigid pivot contact, spaced iexible blades pivoted on the pivot 'member and adapted to straddle said nger and proj ect beyond the same, means for yieldingl holding the blade against said pivot mem er and on said contact finger and locking means housed be-..

lao

blades, a locking bolt l0 spaced oating blades adapted tostraddle and resiliently grip said linger, the free ends of the blades projecting past said finger, a locking bolt'housed between said projecting free ends', and a lock-operating and switchoperating 'member pivoted on both blades and projectingbeyond said free ends.

` 21. In combination, spaced floating switch for locking said switch in closed position, an operating member pivoted on both blades and projecting from between said blades and movable in the plane of the movement of theblades through a predetermined path with respect thereto, said path extending an equal distance on either side from a normal locking position, means normally positioning said operating member in an intermediate position vand said bolt in locking position, and connections for withdrawing said bolt upon movement of said operating member in either direction from its normal intermediate position, said operating member serving as the sole means for operating said blades.

22. In combination, spaced floating switch blades, a lock'bolt between said blades, a single free contact finger between them, and` a movable lock and switch operating eye pivoted equally on the free ends of said blades beyond the free contact finger, Vsaid eye operating through said pivot to actuate fsaidblades thegbladest and "having a lportion thereof lying between said free ends for operating the lock bolt. Y l

. 23. In combination, a pairI of spaced oating switch blades, a single free contact fingerV between them, a movable lock and switch operating eye ivoted on both said blades and projecting eyond the ends of the blades,

Said eye having a portion lying between the free ends of the` blades beyond the free contact finger, and locking means lying between said blades and eng'aging'the outer Aedge of the free contact finger, said locking'means being controlled by movement of said eye when the-eye is actuated to open the switch. 24. Incombination, a free contact, spaced floating switch blades, means for` holding ieldingly against said contact, al movable b ade operating finger-projecting beyond the ends of said blades, a pintle for sald finger assing through the 'ends of the ocking means actuated b said lng means engaging the outerI edge of said free contact. .l

25. In combination, a free contact, means4 for causing the blades gly to engage the sides Vof said con` tact, a movable blade o eratingng'er pro-` j ectlng between said bla es, a pintle for said tingerv passing through the ends, of said blades beyond said freecontact, said linger bemg engageable by a pulling hook, and lockmg means engaging the outer edge of.

terminal.

spaced switch blades,

the free contact and having a portion actuated by the linger to open the lock upon movement of the finger to either side from neutral position in opening or closing the switch. v

26. In combination, a Ihinged contact, a'

free contact, a pair of floating blades pivot- 'ed on said hinged Contact and adapted to engage the sides lof the free contact, means for causing the blades yieldingly to hold said contacts, a locking bolt guided .between the free ends ofthe blades beyond the free Contact for engaging the outer ed e of the' with said T-shaped portionof the bolt for slidably withdrawing the bolt upon movement of the eye upon either side of a neutral l position. 27. In combination, floating blades,

springy means for hol tact with a terminal finger, tension means for loading said spring means, and loc f mechanism guided in its movement by vsai tension means.

28. In combination, floating sion bolts passing through said a longitudinally guiided by said blades and bolts.

29. In combination, floating blades, .bolts blades,l tenpaingthrough said blades, certain of said bolts operating in tension to 'limit separation of said blades, and locking mechanism supported and guided entirely by said blades and bolts. I l

30. In combination, terminals, oating blades pivoted on one terminal, tension bolts blades, and slidable locking element l carried by said blades and lying beside the edge of the free terminal remote from the `pivot terminal when the switch is closed, `and a `locking."element between said blades guided. between saidbolts to engage the free 31. In combination, terminals, oating blades pivoted ony one terminal, tension bolts ,carried by said blades and lying beside the edge of the free terminal .when theI` switch is closed, anda 'locking element guided between said bolts to engage the free terminal.

32. In combination, a pivot terminal, .Heating blades thereon,` a free terminal, tension boltsA lying` beside the remote edge of the free terminal when the switch is closed, the ends of said blad .projecting beyond said bo1 ts, a single bolt at the blade ends,

the remote edge of saidblades in. firm con- ,99

and 'a locking element slotted to'slide, on said 125 the free terminal'when the switchl is closed,

the ends of said blades projecting beyond said bolts, a single bolt at the blade ends, a

' locking element slotted to slide on said single bolt, the nose of said element sliding be` tween said irstdmentioned bolts, and a pulling eye pivoted on said single bolt and actu aftlng said locking element.

34. In combination, a pair of contacts,a double blade switch arm pivoted on the hinge contact and adapted to lie wholly outside .of and embrace the free contact, a'locking device between the outer ends of the `blades beyond the free contact, and an operating eye pullingv equally upon the blades and controlling the locking bolt. e

' '35. In a switch, a free switch contact, a

pair'of blades adapted to have contact with the outer surfaces of said switch contact,

means for( yieldingly pressing the blades against the sides of the contact, said means comprising ayoke lying outside of each blade and extending across the contact and.lv bolts" passing through both. blades outside the area of engagement of blades and con-` tact and taking up the reaction of the yokes 4 against the blades.

combination, a pair of flat sided switch terminals comprising a'hinge terminal fand a contact finger terminal, a pair of blades lying outside of saidI terminals, me-

' -chanical means for pressing the I blades against the sides of the terminals, said blades being adapted to be pressed towards each other and against the sides of the terminals by the magnetic forcesv of current .flowing through the blades, the ends of the blades extending out beyond the contact ter- A minal and being free of current ow, alocking device l ing loosely between said ,ends and being a apted to engage a -shoulder on the adjacent edge of the contact' terminal ated upon movement in the plane of the switcheither to open or to close the switch for releasing said detent.

l' 38. In a switch, a pair ofblades adapted `to embrace a contact between them, a bolt passin loosely through said blades on each side o the contactv and yokes having their ends engaged by said bolts and their central portions pressed against the blades for yield-4 ingly pressing the blades upon the contact.

39: In combination, a pair of blades adapted to embrace a contact between them, a bolt passin loosely through said blades on each side o said contact and yokes havin their ends engaged by said bolts for pressing the blades against said contact, said yokes having inwardlyprojecting studs with spring washers held by said studs a inst the blades substantially/centrally of t e area of engagement ofthe blades with the contacts.

n witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th da of April, A. D. 1919.

. ER. T H. JACOBS. 

